What risks does climate change pose to the organization of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

• The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, an event in France that is as highly anticipated as it is feared, faces a budget of 4.39 billion euros and challenges such as delays, security, and climate change.
• The Paris 2024 Olympic Games could be disrupted by heatwaves and increased pollution, threatening the health of athletes and visitors, and leading to the postponement or cancellation of events.
• Climate change threatens the infrastructure and logistics of the Paris 2024 Olympics, with increased risks of storms and shortages affecting the proceedings in France and Tahiti.
• Climate and pollution risks threaten to harm the revenue and image of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, compromising their ecological reputation and France's ability to host future events.
• Global warming exposes the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to meteorological and logistical risks, requiring proactive action to ensure their success while respecting the environment.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, an event in France that is as highly anticipated as it is feared, faces a budget of 4.39 billion euros and challenges such as delays, security, and climate change.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games. An event in France as highly anticipated as it is feared due to its massive 4.39 billion euro budget and the nearly 15 million total visitors expected. But with a large-scale event comes a multiplication of risks that can take on much greater significance in such a major project. Many unforeseen issues could arise: delays, unfinished transport projects, the risk of terrorism... But there is another risk that few previous Olympic Games have had to face: climate change. Climate change, driven by a sharp rise in greenhouse gas emissions, is increasingly present and observable year after year, and is having more and more consequences on biodiversity and our daily lives—consequences that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will have to face. Thus, numerous risks linked to climate disruption weigh on both the organization of the Games and their smooth operation.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games could be disrupted by heatwaves and increased pollution, threatening the health of athletes and visitors, and leading to the postponement or cancellation of events.

First of all, since the Olympic Games take place in the summer, heat and weather conditions are the primary risks associated with climate change. In 2022 alone, more than 60,000 people died in Europe due to severe heatwaves. Heatwave episodes will increase in intensity and duration year after year, and 2024 will be no exception. The probability of a heatwave occurring this summer in 2024 is four to five times higher than it was in 1924. Furthermore, increased air pollution also causes numerous health problems, and athletes could be particularly sensitive to this. These heatwaves and poor air quality will therefore increase the risk of injuries and health problems for the population, including the 15 million tourists expected. This could also have consequences for the performance and health of the athletes, especially for events held outdoors. Some events might even have to be postponed or cancelled.

Climate change threatens the infrastructure and logistics of the Paris 2024 Olympics, with increased risks of storms and shortages affecting the proceedings in France and Tahiti.

Furthermore, climate change can also pose risks to infrastructure. With the Paris Olympics taking place in France as well as in the overseas territory of Tahiti, infrastructure could be damaged in the event of storms or rising sea levels. Global warming therefore directly influences the stability of the infrastructure necessary for holding the Olympic Games. Similarly, climate disruption could cause logistical and supply chain problems. The current global geopolitical context is very sensitive, and climate fluctuations could worsen access to certain basic necessities. Also, cases of climate-related disasters induced by heatwaves, such as thunderstorms or storms, are more frequent. This will greatly threaten the logistics and transport of tourists as well as athletes, and threaten the smooth running of the Games.

"I am doing my M2 work-study program with KLIMA School at Nexity in the low-carbon division after a year of studies in France" - Khouloud Mila - KLIMA School student.

Climate and pollution risks threaten to harm the revenue and image of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, compromising their ecological reputation and France's ability to host future events.

Finally, all the risks specified above will have consequences for the revenue and the image of the Olympic Games and France. If this Olympic year is marked by higher levels of pollution, a higher carbon footprint, or climate-related hazards, it will have a detrimental effect on the image of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The value of these Games is based on a carbon footprint half that of previous Olympic editions, with emissions of up to 1.58 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, as well as on more ecological principles, such as the use of existing infrastructure or air purification, for example. Having Games marked by climate hazards will inevitably tarnish their image. Furthermore, problems accessing the Games in the event of natural disasters or extreme heat could prevent tourists from attending. This will certainly have an impact on the Olympic Games' revenue. Since the values of this year's Games are focused on Paris's credibility in hosting them, on ecology, and on sharing, global warming could harm the reputation and credibility of the event and of France in hosting other events in the future.

Global warming exposes the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to meteorological and logistical risks, requiring proactive action to ensure their success while respecting the environment.

Global warming thus poses numerous risks for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. From extreme temperatures and poor weather conditions to logistical and economic disruptions, the risks linked to climate change are multiple and varied. To meet these challenges, the organizers of the Games must be proactive in implementing measures to mitigate these risks and propose various solutions and emergency plans if a problem arises. Adopting sustainable practices, protecting athletes and the population, strengthening infrastructure, or raising awareness about the risks could be a way to face these challenges. By acting quickly and decisively, the organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games can still ensure that the Olympics are unforgettable—a unique, once-in-a-lifetime event. But this opportunity must not come at the expense of the health of the population and biodiversity. Ultimately, the Olympic Games remain a unique, memorable event, not only for the exceptional performance of the athletes, but it can also be a way to demonstrate that it is possible to hold a large-scale event while respecting the objectives set in terms of carbon footprint. All eyes are on this event, which in any case, promises to be historic.

1: Paris 2024 Olympic Games — 2: Paul Abran, The Olympics, a turning point for tourism in Paris, Le Parisien, 2024 — 3: Inserm, 2023 — 4: Le Monde, 2024 — 5: Muryel Jacques, Environment: the seven bets of the 2024 Olympics